Clackamas County honors Lake Oswego Public Library for sustainable business practices

The Lake Oswego Public Library will be “re-honored” with a BRAG (Business Recycling Awards Group) membership for its extraordinary commitment to recycling and waste prevention and its innovative programs. The award comes from the Clackamas County Recycling Partnership.

Library Director Bill Baars and Reference Librarian Fawn McGee will receive a BRAG membership certificate and recycled glass plaque from Clackamas County Recycle at Work Specialist Susan Terry at a Lake Oswego City Council meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Lake Oswego City Hall.

The library was first certified as a BRAG member more than 10 years ago. Since then, BRAG membership requirements have grown to include a range of sustainable actions, along with exemplary recycling and waste prevention.

“I was delighted to find that the library still takes every opportunity to save money and resources,” said Terry. “It is the not only the most popular library in the state for its many services, but it is possibly the most resourceful. The staff has really examined its internal practices.”

In 2012, the library recycled, reused and composted more than 3,000 pounds of material, which saved disposal costs and put resources back into use for the greater community. The library recycles toner cartridges, batteries, yard debris, fluorescent bulbs, plastic film and rigid plastics.

“Their recycling is so thorough – they donate plastic CD cases they don’t want to the West Linn Library that does want them,” said Terry. “This library hosts the remarkable ‘Lake Oswego Reads’ program each year and then donates some of the books and books on CD purchased by the Friends of the Library to the North Plains Library.”

The library purchases recycled-content products such as copy paper and promotional material, and prevents waste by using durable dishware, donating unwanted supplies and putting food scraps into compost. Older but still popular books go to The Booktique, the city’s popular used book store.

The Clackamas County Recycling Partnership is a cooperative of local garbage and recycling companies; the cities of Barlow, Canby, Damascus, Estacada, Gladstone, Happy Valley, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Molalla, Oregon City, Sandy, West Linn and Wilsonville, and Clackamas County.

For more information about the Lake Oswego Public Library, call 503-636-7328. For more information about the BRAG award, contact Susan Terry at 503-742-4461.